Tractor Obstacle Detector Layout for Hood Blind-Area Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines, such as tractors, face challenges in accurately detecting obstacles in front of the hood area due to the limited placement options of obstacle detection devices, which can lead to reduced detection accuracy and increased risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of obstacle detector devices, such as laser scanners and sonar, positioned in front of the protector device and outside the width direction of the hood, supported by a mechanism that allows for adjustable placement between detection and evacuation positions, enhances obstacle detection accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If obstacle detector devices are placed on conventional locations, then device simplicity is maintained, but obstacle detection accuracy in front of the hood area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detector is positioned in the width direction outwardly from the hood, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than only front-facing positions. This dimensional shift allows the detector to cover blind areas in front of the hood that would be inaccessible from conventional mounting locations on the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism enables the obstacle detector to move between a detection position (extended outward for optimal detection) and an evacuation position (retracted for safety). This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize detection accuracy when needed while minimizing complexity and risk during normal operation.
2Area of stationary object
If obstacle detector devices are positioned outwardly in the width direction, then obstacle detection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is divided into a fixed portion (attached to vehicle body) and a movable portion (holding the detector). This segmentation allows the complex functions to be isolated to specific components while maintaining overall system simplicity. The movable portion only needs to provide basic extension and retraction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism acts as an intermediary between the vehicle body and the obstacle detector, providing the necessary extension capability without requiring direct integration of the detector into the vehicle structure. This intermediary component simplifies the overall design by decoupling the detector mounting from the vehicle body.
3Measurement precision
If obstacle detectors are placed in front of the protector, then detection precision is enhanced, but operator safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism enables dynamic positioning of the obstacle detector, allowing it to extend to the detection position for high-precision detection when needed, and retract to the evacuation position to eliminate safety risks during normal operation or when the detector is not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support mechanism provides preliminary protection by allowing the detector to be positioned in a safe, retracted state before detection is needed. This preliminary positioning prevents potential harm to the operator while maintaining the capability for precise detection when required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables precise detection of obstacles in the vicinity of the hood area, reducing the risk of collisions and improving the overall safety and efficiency of agricultural machine operations.
Implementation Method 1
obstacle detector devices, such as laser scanners and sonar
Implementation Method 2
obstacle detector devices, such as laser scanners and sonar
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes a vehicle body including a front wheel and a rear wheel, a hood at a front portion of the vehicle body, a protector provided to the vehicle body to protect an operator seat, and an obstacle detector to detect an obstacle, the obstacle detector being located in front of the protector outwardly in a width direction of the hood.